ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
12,000 MW CPSU phase-II Solar project scheme
IREDA extends bid submission to 15th June
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. , a PSU under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy  has extended the bid submission date to 15th June for implementation of the Central Public Sector Undertaking  scheme phase-II for setting up 12,000 MW grid-connected solar projects with viability gap funding . Earlier, the last date to submit the bids was 30th May. A VGF is provided to cover the cost difference between domestic and imported solar cells and modules. VGF will be released in two tranches.
The CPSUs are required to submit their responses by 15th June 2021 and the successful bidders are to be selected by 20th July. Earlier, MNRE had appointed IREDA as the implementing Agency for the scheme.
Under the scheme, the power produced by the government producers can be used on payment of mutually agreed usage charges of not more than Rs. 2.45/unit for self-use or use by Govt./ Govt. entities, either directly or through DISCOMS. The maximum permissible VGF is Rs. 55 lakh per megawatt. The actual VGF to the Govt producer will be decided through bidding process using the VGF amount as a bid parameter to select the project developer.
The maximum permissible VGF amount will be reviewed from time to time, by MNRE, and will be reduced if the cost difference comes down.
As part of central government’s target to achieve a cumulative capacity of 100 GW Solar PV installation by the year 2022, IREDA had invited proposals on 29th January this year for setting up of Grid  Connected Solar PV projects anywhere in the country. This is to be done on “Build Own Operate”  basis for an aggregate capacity of 5,000 MW under Phase-II .
Ministry of Finance
1,19,224 claims paid under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana  scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana  scheme is available to people of all income groups who are bank/ post office accountholders and in the age bracket of 18 to 70 years. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
The number of claims accepted or rejected by the insurance agencies since the inception of scheme as on 28.06.2023 is as under:
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Claims data of PMSBY at National Level
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No. of Claims Paid
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1,19,224
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No. of Claims Rejected
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|
30,549
Source: General Insurance companies which undertake enrolments under PMSBY.
State-wise number of persons registered under PMSBY as on 31.05.2023 is ANNEXED.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Government informs States/UTs of a slew of decisions as a follow-up to the Union Agriculture Minister’s video conference with State Agriculture Ministers
States to decide start date of procurement of pulses and oilseeds under PSS
Amidst the lockdown all States / UTs asked to implement Market Intervention Scheme to ensure remunerative prices to farmers for perishable crops
Trains supplying essential commodities including perishable horticulture produce, seeds, milk and dairy products to all important cities
The Union Minister for Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers' Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar took a Video Conference with the Agriculture Ministers of all States and UTs, to discuss the issues related to farmers and farming activities, arising due to the lockdown in wake of COVID 19 pandemic. Following decisions taken by Government of India in follow up of those deliberations and the same have been communicated to all States/UTs today:
- The Government has decided that start date of procurement of pulses and oilseeds under the Price Support Scheme  may be decided by the respective States. The procurement shall continue for 90 days from the date of commencement of procurement.
- The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has circulated to all States/UTs the details of Market Intervention Scheme to ensure remunerative prices for the perishable Agriculture and Horticulture Crops. The States have been advised to implement the scheme wherein 50%  of the cost will be borne by the Government of India. The Detailed Guidelines have been shared with the States in the Circular issued today.
- Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi  Scheme during the lockdown period from 24.3.2020, about 7.92 crore farmer families have been benefitted and an amount of Rs. 15,841 crore has been released so far.
- Advisory issued to State Governments/ UT on 4th April 2020 to facilitate Direct Marketing, enabling direct purchase from the farmers/ FPOs/ Cooperatives etc. by Bulk Buyers/Big Retailers/Processors by limiting regulation under State APMC Act. Several States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Jharkhand have already initiated action on lines of issued advisory.
- Railways introduces 109 time-table parcel trains to supply essential commodities including perishable horticulture produce, seeds, milk and dairy products. Approximately, 59 routes  for parcel special trains have been notified since the beginning of the lockdown. With this, almost all the important cities of India will get connected for transportation of essential and perishable goods at a fast speed. It may be noted that these services are expected to be further scaled up.
- Logistics module had been added in the e-NAM App earlier. This module is being used by farmers / traders and already more than 200 people have started using it.
Ministry of Steel
National Conference on ‘Making India Atmanirbhar in Steel – Role of Secondary Steel Sector’; Steel Minister Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh to Inaugurate
Curtain Raiser
The Ministry of Steel is organizing a National Conference on Exploring and Expanding the Role of Secondary Steel Sector in making India Atmanirbhar in Steel Sector on 27th March, 2022 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The Conference has been organized with the aim of providing a platform to players in the Secondary Steel sector to share their views on the challenges faced by the sector and ways in which the Ministry can create an ecosystem in which the industry can thrive. Government of India is working towards creating a Vision for 2047. Towards this, it is expected that the companies will offer their inputs which can provide basis for plan of action towards achieving the goals of Vision @ 2047. Industry representatives will also give their feedback on the Production-Linked Incentive scheme for the steel sector.
The Conference will be inaugurated by Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, Union Minister of Steel, in the august presence of Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State for Steel and Rural Development and Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Minister of State for MSME. Senior Officials from Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Mines, Ministry of MSME and Ministry of Coal will be present during the Conference.
The one-day National Conference is set to witness participation from leading representatives of the sector from as many as 20 states. Speakers will address on issues covering all aspects of the sector including issues in raw material, moving towards production of green steel, logistics and infrastructure, quality and efficiency and skill development.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh with purchase of over 278.38 LMTs of paddy up to 13.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 226.53 LMT showing an increase of 22.89% over last year. Out of the total purchase of 278.38 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 194.63 LMT which is 69.91% of total procurement.
About 23.82 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 52557.60 Crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 13.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 58191.40 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.312.67 Crores benefitting 33932 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan as against the last year corresponding purchase of 21401.24 MT which is an increase of 171.91% for pulses and oilseeds.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 13.11.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Till 13.11.2020 a quantity of 1465847 cotton bales valuing Rs.4187.05 Crore has been procured benefitting 286547 farmers.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Shri Narayan Rane inaugurates Enterprise India National Coir Conclave 2022 at Coimbatore, emphasizes on development of new products and new applications of Coir.
Union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan Rane and Minister of State for MSME Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma along with other State Ministers and senior officials inaugurated the ‘Enterprise India National Coir Conclave 2022’ being organised under the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Speaking on the occasion Shri Rane emphasized on the development of new products and new applications of coir through product development, product diversification& adoption of new technologies.
The Minister said coir has got immense potential and can really play an instrumental role in enhancing exports and adding to MSME’s share in GDP of the country. He added that coir is a good example of ‘waste to wealth’, which provides a sustainable solution, as it is eco-friendly and helps conservation of water and soil.
Shri Rane stated that coir industry provides employment to more than 7 lakh people in the rural areas of the coconut growing states. More interestingly, 80% of these artisans are women but its production has so far been confined to the southern coconut producing States/UTs in the country. He said the Ministry of MSME intends to promote coir production in other States in the country and towards this Government has taken numerous initiatives to popularize the use of coir for consumer and industrial use, especially as a replacement for many non-degradable products.
Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma added that this event is being organized with an idea to bring about a co-ordinated effort between the State and Central Governments to promote production of coir and coir products and to identify new areas of application of coir.
On this occasion, Coir industry awards were distributed to 44 coir & coir products manufacturing /exporting units. Coir Board also introduced new coir products like coir composite fruit bowl, geo-textile shadow lamp, coir buttons, auto mirror covers made of coir, flat rectangular tray, certificate holder as well as released Manual of Technologies for Coir, Books on Coir pith, geo-textiles and coir floor furnishing.
Ministers for Industry/MSME from Tamil Nadu and Assam also graced the occasion along with MLA of Coimbatore and 11 Principal Secretaries/Directors from different States.
A ‘Run for Coir’ is also being organized on 6th may, 2022 to promote the use of coir, as a natural, degradable, eco-friendly product. More than thousand people, including dignitaries, college students and the general public are expected to participate in the run.
Ministry of Railways
‘Gati Shakti Express’, India’s First New 3 AC Economy coach special Train to connect National Captial  with Patna Jn.
The train shall make 5 trips in both directions
For the convenience of the rail passengers and to clear extra rush of passengers during ensuing festivals, Indian Railways is going to introduce a special train 01684/01683 Anand Vihar Terminal-Patna-Anand Vihar Terminal Gati Shakti Superfast Special train having composition of 20 new 3 AC Economy coaches.
Train No. 01684 Anand Vihar Terminal-Patna Jn. Gati Shakti Superfast Special train will depart from Anand Vihar Terminal at 11.10 p.m. on 29.10.2021, 31.10.2021, 02.11.2021, 05.11.2021 & 07.11.2021 to arrive at Patna Jn. at 03.45 p.m. the next day.
In the return direction, Train No. 01683 Patna Jn.- Anand Vihar Terminal Gati Shakti Superfast Special train will depart from Patna Jn. at 05.45 p.m. on 30.10.2021, 01.11.2021, 03.11.2021, 06.11.2021 & 08.11.2021 to arrive at Anand Vihar Terminal at 09.50 a.m. the next day.
The train will stop at Kanpur Central, Prayagraj Jn., Varanasi, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhaya Jn. & Danapur stations enroute in both the directions.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU of Cooperation between India and Morocco
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the MoU between India and Morocco for developing, promoting and strengthening mutual cooperation between the judiciaries of the two countries.
Impact
The approval will promote cooperation between India and Morocco in judicial and other legal areas and enable exchange of knowledge in infrastructure and information technology.
Ministry of Mines
District Mineral Foundation  in 626 Districts of 23 States
Section 9B of the MMDR Act, 1957 empowers the State Government to establish District Mineral Foundation  Trust in all the Districts affected by mining for the benefit of the people and areas affected by mining activities. Accordingly, concerned State Governments have established DMFs in 626 districts in 23 states in the country.
Ministry of Mines circulated guidelines for Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojna  vide order dated 16.09.2015 to be implemented by the DMF for taking up development and welfare works in mining affected areas. As per the PMKKKY guidelines, instruction have been issued to the DMFs for identification of affected areas and people to be covered under the PMKKKY scheme and spend at least 60% of the funds on High Priority areas like:  drinking water supply;  environment preservation and pollution control measures;  health care;  education;  welfare of women and children;  welfare of aged and disabled people;  skill development; and  sanitation and up to 40% on Other Priority areas physical infrastructure;  irrigation;  energy and watershed development; and  any other measures for enhancing environmental quality in mining district.
Further, in rule 12, sub-rule  of Madhya Pradesh District Mineral Foundation Rule 2016, the entire area of Madhya Pradesh State is accepted as mining effected area.
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Name of District
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Area
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Collection in Rs. Cr. 
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No. of Projects Sanctioned
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Amount Sanctioned 
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Amount Spent 
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Singrauli
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High Priority
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|
3620.97
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|
530
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|
599.20
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|
525.65
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Other Priority
|
|
428
|
|
456.89
|
|
347.94
|
|
Sidhi
|
|
High Priority
|
|
31.41
|
|
35
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|
6.48
|
|
3.63
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|
Other Priority
|
|
11
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|
4.38
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|
3.56
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|
Shahdol
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|
High Priority
|
|
181.66
|
|
560
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|
53.86
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|
32.19
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|
Other Priority
|
|
243
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|
36.81
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|
26.85
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Cara Celebrates 5th Annual Day
Central Adoption Resource Authority celebrated its 5th Annual Day in New Delhi today.The function was attended by Secretary WCD, Rabindra Panwar, alongwith other senior officials of the Ministry, its associated Statutory/Autonomous Bodies and representatives from the States and Union Territories. As part of the Advocacy, souvenirs to commemorate the Annual Day was unveiled during the event.
Lastyear, CARA has conducted various training programmes and workshops at national and state levels for all the stakeholders of the adoption programme. It has also carried out a number of advocacy programs through various mediums for creating awareness and sensitization of general public and reached out to citizens through various inter-active programmes like Jan Sampark and through Social Media platforms. It is giving emphasis to the rehabilitation of older and special needs children in various Child Care Institutions across the country.
CARA is an apex body of Government of India for promoting and facilitating In-country Adoption and is the designated Central Authority for regulating Inter-country Adoption. CARA was designated as a Statutory Body on 15 Jan 2016, under the provisions of Juvenile Justice  Act, 2015.
Ministry of Coal
India Achieves 47 % growth in Coal Production during last Nine Years
Attains 893.08 Million tonne production in FY 2023: Targets 1012 MT by 2023-24
Focus on 140 Million tonne Coking Coal Production by FY 2030
During the last nine years, India’s overall coal production has gone up by 47% to 893.08 Million Tonne  and supply has touched 877.74 Million tonne, recording 45.37% growth. Major leap in coal production of 893.08 MT in FY 2023 is the highest in the history of the country.
At the same time, as per recently finalised Action Plan for 2023-24 by the Ministry of Coal, the coal production target for financial year 2023-24 is 1012 Million Tonne by enhancing overall production, efficiency, sustainability and adopting new technologies.
During FY 2022-23, the Ministry signed agreements for a total of 23 coal mines having cumulative peak rated capacity  of 33.224 MT per annum. Considering good response received for the 6th round of commercial auctions, it is expected that 25 coal mines will be allocated during FY 2023-24 for commercial mining.
'Mission Coking Coal' has been launched by the Government in August 2021, to come up with a roadmap that would suggest ways to augment the production and utilization of domestic coking coal in India by 2030.
Mission Coking Coal document has made recommendations majorly relating to new exploration, enhancing production, enhancing washing capacity, auction of new coking coal mines. The mission has been launched to enhance production of coking coal with the following objectives:
- Enhancing coking coal production from 52 Million Tonne  in FY 2022 to 140 MT in FY 2030.
- Enhancing coking coal washing capacity from 23 MT in FY 2022 to 61 MT in FY 2023.
Coking coal is mainly used in manufacturing of steel through blast furnace route. Domestic coking coal is high ash coal  and is not suitable for direct use in the blast furnace. Therefore, coking coal is washed to reduce the ash percentage and Indian Prime and Medium Coking Coal  is blended with imported coking coal  before utilization in the blast furnace.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Clarification on Incorrect Media Reports on Disruption Figures of Child Adoption Cases
The Central Adoption Resource Authority  has termed media reports about figures of disruption in adoption cases during last five years as incorrect. It said that in recent days, there have been a number of media reports giving the figures of disruption in adoption cases as 1100 during the last five years. In a clarification issued in New Delhi, the CARA saidthat the actual figures are 246 cases of disruption and 10 cases of dissolution over the period of last five years.
The Central Adoption Resource Authority said that it appears thefigure of 1100 has been misquoted from the RTI response given by it, which also included the figures of withdrawal from the adoption process. It further stated that disruption implies returning back of the children to the institution after being placed with a family and is not a happy situation as the children face rejection and are scarred for a long time. There have also been 10 cases of dissolutions during the last five years, where the parents returned the child after concluding the legal adoption process through adoption order by the court. The total number of disruption and dissolution reported have been less than 2% of the total adoptions under the JJ Act, 2015 and not approximately 6% as has been reported by the print media.
There is a difference between parents withdrawing from the adoption process after accepting the profile of a child referred for various reasons, and those who return the child after taking them in pre-adoption foster care, which is called disruption. While the former is about helping parents take an informed decision of adopting the child, the latter is completely detrimental to the best interest of the child which is the guiding principle for any organisation working for children. In order to check this trend, CARA has formed a sub-committee of experts who have been travelling to different States to help them in building the capacity of social workers at the gross root level.
CARA is an apex body of Government of India under the Ministry of Women and Child Developmentfor promoting and facilitating in-country adoptions and is the designated Central Authority for regulating inter-country adoptions.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust, Tuticorin inks MoU with Central Warehousing Corporation for facilitating Direct Port Entry Movement
The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust, Tuticorin and Central Warehousing Corporation  have signed a Memorandum of Understanding todayfor facilitating Direct Port Entry  of e-sealed factory stuffed export container tothe port under ‘Ease of Doing Business’.
With this MoU, Central Warehousing Corporation would make use of the 18,357 sqm area earmarked in the Truck Parking Terminal located opposite to Fisheries College, Tuticorin for operating and managing the DPE facility for 30 years on Annual Lease Rental basis. The Direct Port Entry  facility would enable direct movement of containers from factories without intermediate handling requirement at any Container Freight Station thus facilitating the shippers to gate-in their factory-stuffed goods directly to the Container Terminal on 24 x 7 basis.
At present, the factory stuffed  containers are taken to 15 Container Freight Stations  and one ICD operated in Tuticorin. All the CFSs operate during the day time from 10 AM to 5 PM with extended time upto 8 PM on working days. Only one CFS operated by CONCOR has 24x7 service. Hence, with this DPE facility made available by the port at the Truck Parking Terminal, the export clearance of factory stuffed e-sealed containers will be faster and the time and cost incurred will get reduced.
MoU signed by Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Chairman, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust and
Shri Arun Kumar Shrivastava,Managing Director, Central Warehousing